A man was hospitalized with major injuries when he was ejected from his car following a rollover accident that occurred on the 10 freeway. The woman who was driving the other car in the accident was booked into jail on suspicion of DUI.

The man was ejected from the car as it ran up an embankment on the shoulder of the freeway near the Lincoln off-ramp. The woman who was arrested was speeding and “driving erratically”, and lost control when she was trying to avoid hitting another vehicle.

Whenever a DUI-related accident results in injuries, the suspect is booked for felony DUI and the bail is set according to the felony-level charge. Depending on the court that the case goes to, the extent of the victim’s injuries and the facts of the case, the prosecutor may file the case as a misdemeanor or keep it as a felony.

Being charged with a DUI in Los Angeles is a complex and multifaceted case. Not only are there immediate steps to be taken with the DMV, but also criminal court proceedings that are completely separate and unrelated from those with the DMV. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, you must contact the DMV within 10 days from the date of arrest to request an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing and have a stay placed on the automatic suspension of your driver’s license.

If convicted of a DUI in criminal court, you are facing the possibility of county jail time or Cal Trans work, fines and fees to the court, a drinking and driving program that can range from 3 months to 18 months, probation and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your car. A step-by-step approach to a DUI arrest can be found by clicking here.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for, or charged with, a DUI in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Burbank, Airport, Downtown, Hollywood or North Hollywood, it is crucial to contact attorney Ross Erlich within the first 10 days of your arrest. There are many factors to consider in evaluating your case, including, but not limited to, time of chemical test, probable cause to initiate a traffic stop, what was said to you at the time of detention, chemical test results, field sobriety tests, weather conditions, lighting, what you had to eat that day, were you taking medications, when was the last time you slept… The list goes on.

Do yourself a favor and consult with an aggressive and experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney and contact Ross Erlich today.

Former USC and NFL star Keyshawn Johnson was arrested on Monday morning and booked on misdemeanor domestic battery charges. Johnson is currently known for his role as an NFL analyst on ESPN and currently lives in the west San Fernando Valley area.

It was reported that there was a fight between Johnson and his ex-girlfriend which, allegedly, got physical, and caused some kind of cut or other injury to her hand. There were other reports that the argument was over marriage and that Johnson, allegedly, broke or was in the process of trying to throw her cell phone.

Johnson was booked and released on $20,000 bail and will be making his court appearance in the Van Nuys Superior Court sometime in the coming month or so.

If you have been involved in a domestic dispute or have been arrested for domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles, there are some important things for you to consider before you go to court. The prosecutor’s office in Los Angeles, be it the City Attorney or District Attorney, typically have a special unit that handles all “special victims crimes,” which usually include domestic violence. These prosecutors usually proceed with the case even if the victim wants to recant or “drop the charges.” Therefore, it is important to know how to handle these specially assigned cases the right way to avoid having a violent crime conviction on your record. There are also several different penal code sections dealing with incidents surrounding a domestic dispute.

In Los Angeles, misdemeanor domestic violence or domestic battery convictions usually involve either 30 days of county jail, 30 days of Cal Trans work, 3 years of informal probation, a 52-week domestic violence class, victim restitution, fines and fees to the court, possible criminal protective order and the possibility of losing the right to own a firearm. In addition, a domestic violence or domestic battery conviction is a “violent crime” that may make it difficult to keep or find employment.

There may also be immigration issues arising from a conviction for domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles. Most of these domestic violence crimes are classified as crimes of “moral turpitude” and will give rise to deportation proceedings if you are convicted of these charges in court.

All this being said, there are a number of other possible ways to resolve your case that might include a dismissal of the charges, a reduction in the charges, and/or getting the prosecutor to strike some of the other obligations and penalties typically associated with a domestic violence conviction. There is the possibility of resolving the case through a civil compromise or through some kind of diversion. All this will typically depend on the facts of your case, the extent or lack of injuries, prior criminal history and the victim.

If you have been arrested or charged with domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Airport Court, Pasadena Court or Burbank Court, contact attorney Ross Erlich today for a free case consultation.

A former Glendale councilman who was sentenced to one year in county jail after his guilty pleas to embezzlement, perjury and filing false tax returns will now serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Because these crimes are classified by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as nonviolent and nonsexual, the amount of time actually served is almost immediately cut in half. This policy is part of the new realignment guidelines meant to curb inmate overcrowding in the California state prison system.

Mr. Drayman, the defendant, will have to wear an ankle bracelet and be monitored by the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

If you are facing criminal charges for a nonviolent and nonsexual crime, it is important to know what other options are available to you besides serving time in county jail. Electronic monitoring, or “house arrest,” is a common resource used by attorney Ross Erlich to avoid having clients lose their jobs or family. Typically, electronic monitoring is an alternative to actual custody and is available either prior to a conviction as pre-trial release or after a conviction. This means that house arrest usually occurs, in a sentencing capacity, after someone has plead guilty and sent to county jail. Individuals are then screened for eligibility upon their arrival and factors such as prior criminal history, nature of the current charges and personal background are taken into consideration.

There are many options in resolving a theft or fraud case in Los Angeles. Just because you were arrested for, and charged with, a felony, does not mean that you are going to wind up with a felony conviction on your record. Victim restitution can be a large factor in attorney Ross Erlich’s ability to get the charges reduced or even dismissed through a civil compromise with the court. Additionally, convictions for theft, fraud or embezzlement are crimes of “moral turpitude.” These convictions can have severe consequences in terms of keeping or securing employment and protecting any license from the state.

If you have been arrested for, or charged with, fraud, embezzlement or theft in Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Downtown, Santa Monica or Beverly Hills, contact attorney Ross Erlich today to discuss all of your options. Attorney Ross Erlich handles all theft and fraud cases in the Airport Court, CCB Court, Pasadena Court, Glendale court and all other fraud and theft charges throughout Los Angeles County.

The rapper “2 Chainz”, who was arrested last June for possession of a controlled substance, entered a not guilty plea last week in court. The rapper was arrested for possession of codeine after he was removed from a flight at LAX when marijuana and a bottle of promethazine with codeine was found in his checked bag by airport security.

Codeine is a main ingredient used in the cocktail “sizzurp” which has been made famous by many southern rappers in recent time. Sizzurp is a mix of the drug with cough syrup and sometimes also mixed with Sprite.

2 Chainz is facing one felony count and up to three years in prison if convicted and sentenced to the maximum.

Many felony drug possession cases at the Airport court are those where people were possessing drugs in their baggage at LAX. If you have been charged with felony drug possession, possession of codeine or possession of promethazine, it is important to contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible. Under certain circumstances, simple felony drug possession may be something that attorney Ross Erlich can have completely dismissed from your record upon successful completion of the PC 1000 program.

In California, the PC 1000 formal drug diversion program allows those charged with possession of a controlled substance for personal use (without any allegations of violence) to have their criminal proceedings suspended for 18 months while they complete a state-approved drug rehabilitation program that consists of at least 20 hours of education and/or treatment. If the defendant successfully completes this program, and does not pick up any new arrests during the 18 month diversion period, the court will dismiss the felony possession charge.

This diversion program is seen frequently in cases involving possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of ecstasy, possession of methamphetamine and possession of prescription medication.

There are other requirements and factors that are considered, but that is something attorney Ross Erlich can speak to you about during your free case consultation.

If you have been charged with drug possession in the Airport Court, drug possession in CCB, drug possession in Pasadena Court or drug possession anywhere in Los Angeles, contact attorney Ross Erlich today.

Zac Efron and his bodyguard were allegedly involved in an assault and battery with transients in Downtown Los Angeles that resulted in Efron being punched in the mouth.

The incident took place at approximately 2 a.m. when, according to the Los Angeles Police Department’s battery report, police found two homeless men involved in the fight near a freeway entrance.

According to another celebrity news website, LAPD officers said they saw Efron and his bodyguard involved in a “full-blown melee with at least three other people” when they arrived. Efron told police that his car ran out of gas and he and his bodyguard got into the confrontation when a bottle was thrown from his vehicle. The website also reported that the homeless men attacked the bodyguard with a knife and Efron threw a bottle of vodka out of the car to fend off the attack.

No arrests have been made.

If you have been arrested or cited for assault and/or battery in Los Angeles, it is important to contact attorney Ross Erlich for a free case consultation. Being able to start work on the case before your scheduled court date can have tremendous benefits for possible outcomes. Compensating the victim for any damages and out-of-pocket expenses before you walk into court for the first time shows the judge and prosecutor proactiveness and a good attitude towards resolving the matter. This may open the door for a civil compromise to take place and prevent any type of criminal conviction on your record.

Assault and battery charges can mean jail time, fines and fees, anger management classes, restitution to the victim(s) and a violent crime conviction on your record. If you have been involved in an assault and/or battery in Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, contact attorney Ross Erlich 24/7.

Six people have been arrested and several others detained after police officers served search warrants in a months-long investigation into baggage theft at LAX.

The property thefts were linked to a group of individuals, all of whom are current or former employees of companies contracted by airlines for baggage services. Law enforcement says the investigation began after a string of reports regarding luggage thefts from terminals, runways and planes. The investigation ultimately involved officers going undercover among the baggage handlers.

The investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected to be made. Law enforcement says that the process now begins of linking the thefts and items to dates and personnel working on those dates. Jewelry, electronics, clothing and other personal items were among the items stolen. Many of the arrests were for receiving stolen property and other theft-related offenses and these suspects will be appearing at the Airport Court.

If you have been arrested or given a citation for receiving stolen property, theft, petty theft, burglary or commercial burglary in Los Angeles, it is important not to just “wait to see what happens” with your case. Theft offenses can often times be resolved beneficially by taking initiative and compensating victims for their loss and any out-of-pocket expenses associated with the theft. A civil compromise is a valuable resource for attorney Ross Erlich to use as a means to prevent any moral turpitude criminal conviction from appearing on your record. A civil compromise will permanently suspend criminal proceedings if the compromise is agreed to by the victim and the judge.

Even if a civil compromise is not attainable, being able to pay the restitution back to the victim can vastly improve your negotiating position for a lesser offense or a dismissal altogether. Contact attorney Ross Erlich today if you have been arrested for theft or receiving stolen property in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Culver City, Pasadena, Burbank or anywhere throughout Los Angeles County. Remember, simply “waiting to see what happens” is never the right course of action in a theft-related offense.

A mother was killed and her child injured when a hit-and-run driver stuck the two as they were crossing Ocean Avenue at 1:00am last week. Both victims were from out of town and the younger female was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and released.

If you have been arrested, cited or sent a notice to appear regarding a hit-and-run, it is important to consult and attorney and take action on the matter early on. It is possible for your attorney to contact the victim(s) and their insurance company, determine the extent and amount of damage to their property and injuries, and resolve the matter outside of court without you ever having criminal charges filed against you. Even if formal criminal charges do end up being filed against you, it is still possible to resolve the matter without any conviction on your record through a civil compromise.

For detailed information on what to do if you are arrested for a hit-and-run, click on this link to read the firm’s prior blog about that topic in-depth. Keep in mind that a conviction under this code may carry license suspension, jail time, a 2-point penalty on your driving record, fines and fees to the court and restitution to the victim(s).

If you have been arrested for a hit-and-run in North Hollywood, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, or anywhere in Southern California, contact attorney Ross Erlich 24/7 for a free case consultation. Taking the right action early on is always the best way to handle a hit-and-run incident and the most likely way to prevent formal criminal charges against you.

A domestic violence suspect who wounded an LAPD officer after barricading himself inside a Hollywood Hills home has died. The man had locked himself inside of a home shortly after he fired a gun at LAPD officers responding to a domestic violence call.

If you have been arrested for, or charged with, domestic violence or domestic battery, it is important to contact an aggressive defense attorney early on in the case. The consequences of the arrest begin immediately when a temporary criminal protective order is issued preventing the suspect from being in contact with the victim, at least until the first court date.

There are a few ways you can be charged for an altercation involving your spouse or domestic partner. You may be charged with inflicting a corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant (can be charged without any visible injury), domestic battery (usually requires some visible injury), or even simply making criminal threats. If there are children present, there is the possibility of having an additional charge of child endangerment. Furthermore, in California, prosecutors may file a domestic violence case as either a felony or a misdemeanor. This is known as a “wobbler” and the prosecutor’s decision typically involves looking at severity of injuries, nature of conduct and other factors.

A conviction under these domestic violence-related charges may include jail time, Caltrans or community service work, a mandated 52-week domestic violence program, anger management, fines and fees to the court and a period of either formal or informal probation. It is crucial that you contact attorney Ross Erlich to fight to reduce or eliminate some or all of these penalties and avoid having a violent crime on your record.

One important thing to remember is that innocent people get wrongfully arrested. An accuser may be making a false allegation due to jealousy or anger or may even have been the initial aggressor in the incident. Numerous cases involve an aggressive victim who attacks the accused and the accused is simply acting in self-defense to prevent any injury or damage to their property.

If you or someone you know has been charged with inflicting a corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, domestic battery, domestic violence or child endangerment, contact attorney Ross Erlich today for a free consultation. Ross Erlich handles domestic violence cases occurring in Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Culver City, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, and all over Southern California.

An off-duty LAPD officer was arrested last week on suspicion of DUI after he allegedly crashed his car into a McDonald’s drive-through in Diamond Bar. Apparently the officer was exiting the freeway at 1:15 a.m. when his car veered off the exit ramp, crossed over to an on-ramp and then was launched 50 feet, eventually coming to rest in the drive-through.

Firefighters had to pull the officer from his car and transport him to the hospital. A CHP officer responded to the hospital, where the officer must have shown the objective symptoms of being under the influence, and was arrested for DUI.

Assuming this off-duty officer has not had any prior DUI convictions within the last 10 years, he is facing a possible license suspension through the DMV and possibly through the court, a longer first-offender driving under the influence class (due to the accident), possible jail or Cal Trans work, court fines and fees and possible suspension or loss of his employment. There are additional issues to keep in mind with regards to the impact of a DUI. Contact the office to have a consultation about your specific case.

When there is a car accident such as this while driving under the influence, prosecutors seek to impose additional penalties to, what would otherwise be, a normal first-offense DUI offer. Accidents, injuries, open containers, and driving on a suspended license are all common issues that can elevate the normal DUI case.

If you have been involved in a DUI with an accident or injuries, it is important that you contact attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible. Contacting law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office and even trying to compensate victims can put you in a better place dealing with your case than if you just sat and waited. Also keep in mind the need to contact the DMV within 10 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing and prevent an automatic suspension of your license.

If you have been arrested for a DUI anywhere in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County or San Bernardino County, contact attorney Ross Erlich today.

In an effort to combat the age-old problem with prostitution and the victims associated with this conduct, the Los Angeles City Council approved a program that provides counseling and assistance to prostitutes and counseling sessions to johns, with tougher penalties sought for against pimps.

The City mentioned the problem of trying to “arrest their way out of” the prostitution problem instead of dealing with it as a quality-of-life issue and trying to address the root cause of prostitution while seeking to inform johns of the dangers.

Deputy City Attorney Richard Schmidt, who handles City Attorney matters in the Van Nuys Courthouse, agreed with this new pilot program and mentioned that the Central Division has been seeking to do this already through diversion programs for prostitution first offenders.

If you have been arrested for pimping or for solicitation of prostitution, there are many different channels of resolving this matter. Diversion programs are available in certain situations and in certain courthouses, while tougher consequences may exist for those who have had a prior offense, who might have had narcotics in their possession or for those people who law enforcement believed to be “pimping” these women. Depending on the circumstances and prior criminal record, Attorney Ross Erlich may be able to to get the case dismissed and/or prevent any criminal conviction from appearing on your record.